Combined table and bookrest



Aug. 31 1926.

= G. FITZHUGH COMBINED. TABLE AND BOOKREST 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 25-, 1925 INVENTOR 1 Om-mewzan-fi'um 5, ATTORNEYS Aug. 31 1926.

, 1,598,569 G. FH'ZHUGH COMBINED TABLE 'AND BOOKREST Filed Sept. 23, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTOR NEYS ratentecl Aug. .51, man.

UNITED STATES CHAMPE GERALDINE FITZI-IUGI-I, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

COMBINED TABLE AND BOOKRES'I.

Application filed September 23, 1925. Serial No. 58,197.

This invention relates to improvements in supports, and it consists of the constructions, combinations and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of the invention is to provide a support of general application so far as certain purposes are concerned, to that end the support being capable of employment as a rest for books, newspapers, et cetera, and as a table.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined table and book rest adapted particularly for use in a sick room, although not confined to such use, one of the outstanding features being that the device can be readily and firmly attached to a bed rail and is as readily adjusted to constitute either a book rest or table as may be required.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple yet adequate support for the table or book rest, one of the elements of said support consisting of a telescopic or other leg with a T-head which rests upon the bed.

Other objects and advantages appear in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective view illustrating the invention arranged for use as a book or newspaper rest,

Figure 2 is a detail perspective view of the far end of the table illustrating the telescopic leg and one of the ledge braces,

Figure 3 is a detail side elevation of the telescopic leg,

Figure l is a detail section of the bed rail clamp taken substantially on the line H of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view illustrating the invention arranged for use as a table,

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view illustrating the appearance of the invention from the rear,

Figure 7 is a detail elevation of one corner of the table showing how the spring rod is held in place; 7

Figure 8 is a detail elevation showing how the spring rod is moved over the shoulder, preparatory to moving the spring,

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view illustrating how the resilient spring rod is bent in getting it over the shoulder,

Figure 10 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 1010 of Figure 2,

showing how the leg-carrying screw is embedded when the table is made of wood,

Figure 11 is a similar sectional view showing how the screw is riveted in place when the table is made of enameled sheet metal,

Figure 12 is a detail sectional view illustrating a modified form of clamp adapted to tubular bed rails, and

Figure 13 is a detail perspective view of a modified form or" supporting leg.

In carrying out the invention provision is made of a table 1 which at its lower edge is provided with a ledge 2 upon which it is mounted by hinges 3 so that it may be swung either into angled relationship to the table (Figures 1 and 6) or level with the table as in Figure 5. In the first instance the device constitutes a book, newspaper or other rest, and in the second instance it constitutes a support for plates, et cetera, in other words, a table.

Braces 4L and 5 hold the ledge 2 in any of its adjusted positions. To that end the braces have a longitudinal slot 6 with a number of notches 7 at one side for the purpose of resting upon the shank of a headed stud 8 carried by the adjacent edge of the table 1. One extremityof each brace is pivoted at 9 to the ledge. It is obvious that by simply lifting the free ends of the braces the ledge 2 can be made to assume any position within its limits of adjustment, such adjustment being held by the gravitation of the braces upon the studs being necessary to see that the studs enter the nearest notches.

The upper corners of the table 1 are notched at 10 in such a manner as to produce recesses 11 (Figures 7, 8 and 9) and shoulders 12. Rods 13 are secured at 14: (Figure 9) to the lower edge of the table and extend along the side edges of the table until they reach the notches 10 where the rods are bent back and down at 15 to provide hooks. The rods are disposed as close to the side edges of the table as possible and are for the purpose of supporting the ends of a spring 16 that stretches across the table as in Figure 1. The purpose of the spring is to hold the pages of a book, newspaper or the like down so that the hands of the reader are relieved of any effort.

Upon the occasion that the device is used as a table (Figure 5) it is desirable to re move the spring 16. This is done by simply taking hold of the back of thehook 15 and bending it upwardly and forwardly (Figure 9) and at the same time outwardly (Figure 8) thereby lifting the hook over the shoulder 12 sufficiently to permit slipping the spring off. The spring rods 13 are inherently resilient and permit the foregoing bending of the hooks. One or both of the hooks may be bent either to partly or wholly remove the spring. The engagement of the hooks in the recesses 11 constitutes a simple yet effective lock for the spring rods. It is observed that the spring rods are secured to the concealed bottom edge of the table.

A telescopic post 17 and transverse rod 18 constitute the main supports of the table over the bed 13. The telescopic membersof the post are adjustably held by one or more screws 19. The transverse rod 18 slides in semicircular brackets 20 (Figure 6), each being equipped with a thumb screw 21 so that the desired adjustment of the table can be fixed. Such adjustment can be made either longitudinally of the rod 18 or in the circular direction. The disposition of the brackets is such that the rod 18 can be introduced from either side edge because in some instances it may be desirable to dispose the post 17 on the right side of the table instead of the left side as herein illustrated. A clamp consisting of members 22 and 23 (Figure provides the mounting of the post 17 upon the rail R of the bed. The member 22 has a threaded hole into which the lower end of the post is screwed (see Figure 1).

Both clamp members are bent upon themselves at 24 to fit around the flanges of the angle of said rail and such portions of the members that might mar the finish of the bed rail are appropriately padded at 25 with felt or the like to offer protection. The lower part of the member 23 carries a pair of screws 26 upon the points of which contact is made with the lower edge of the bed rail. These screws are adjustable so that a very snug fit of the clamp may be had, it being essential that there shall be no lost motion in the clamp to render the support of the table insecure at a possibly very inopport-une time. The clamp is tightened by a thumb screw 27, the bolt 28 of the thumb screw having certain necessary freedom of motion in a slot 29 in the member 22 while applying the clamp.

Refer to Figure 12. The clamp here illustrated is adaptable to the tubular style of bed rail 30. The members 22 and 23 have semi-circular portions which engage the bed rail at opposite sides and, as in the first instance, are equipped with a thumb screw 27 by means of which the clamp is secured.

The member 23 is hinged as shown. Each member has a pad 25 bed rail. The telescopic post 17 a to avoid marring the is screwed into a threaded hole in one of the clamp members.

In order that the otherwise free end of the table may be properly supported, it being noted that the post 17 is situated at one side, provision is made of a telescopic leg consisting of relatively slidable members 31 and 32. The member 31 is preferably tubular so that the member 32 may slide therein, but it is not necessarily tubular. It has a longitudinal slot 33 and a number of notches 34 into any one of which the bolt 35 of the member 32 can be moved prior to tightening the thumb screw 36. The arrangement offers a very firm support. The member 32 has a base 37 which is intended to rest upon the bed as shown in Figures 1, 5 and 6. Screw studs 38 protrude from opposite ends of the table 1. One or the other of these is employed for the purposes of the leg, this depending on whether the transverse rod 18 is inserted from the left or right of the table. The member 31 has a hole to receive the screw studs 38. This arrangement permits such play of the telescopic leg as may be necessary and after the desired adjustment is reached, the nut 39 is screwed down to hold the adjustment.

Figure 13 illustrates a modification of the supporting leg. Here it consists of but a single member 32 which has a longitudinal slot 33 with a number of notches 3 1 in any one of which the screw 38 can be moved prior to tightening the nut 39. As before, the member 32 has a base 37". The arrangement in Figure 13 has the advantage of simplicity, but the fact that the upper end of the leg protrudes above the table surface may be objectionable in some instances. The first form of the leg does not have this disadvantage. The size of the table and the materials of which it shall be made are entirely optional with the manufacturer. In case the table is made of wood, screws may be used as fastening means for the various parts in most of the instances. For example the pin 38 (Figure 10) will have a screw end by means of which it is held in the edge of the table. But it is also contemplated to make the table of enameled sheet metal, this being in the interest of sanitation when the device is employed in hospitals and the like. But when thus made the screws formerly spoken of will have to be replaced by means such as rivets, for example, the screw pin 38 will have to be riveted in place as at 10 in Figure 11. Likewise, the rods 13 will have to be riveted in place as also the hinges that connect the table with the leg 2.

The operation is readily understood. The table is designed largely to relieve the reader from the burden of holding a heavy book, and when employed for that purpose will be adjusted as shown in Figures 1 and 6. The

table 1 can be clamped in any desired radial position in reference to the transverse rod 18 and the ledge 2 can be held at a number of desirable angles in reference to the table. The spring 15 is employed to hold the leaves of the book down, or in the event that the table is used as a rest for reading matter the spring is employed as a means for holding down the pages of the newspaper.

By making the proper adjustment the device is converted into a table for use as such (Figure 5). In both instances it is desirable that the telescopic. leg be employed, but this telescopic leg is useful only when the table is attached to a bed. To that end the telescopic post 17 can be disposed either at the left or right of the table 1 depending upon particular circumstances. The telescopic leg is also capable of being attached to either edge of the table, because screw studs 38 are carried upon each edge.

If the occasion demands that the device be used as a table it may become desirable to either partly or entirely remove the spring 15. This is readily done by simply unhooking the spring rods 13 at the upper notches 10, the action involved at that time being clearly illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. After the rods are unhooked the end loops of the spring are simply slipped up and off.

The bed rail clamp (Figure 4:) is constructed to provide a very secure mounting for the telescopic post 17. It is unnecessary to repeat the details of the clamp because these are readily seen in Figure 4. The use of the screws 26 is desirable to obtain a snug fit of the clamp upon the bed rail, but it is to be observed that the space between the member 23 and the bent end 24 is but little greater than the overall diameter of the screws. This circumstance compels contact of the type of the screws with the adjacent edge of the bed rail, and prevents the possibility of the bed rail riding down beside the screws thereby to strip the threads and do other damage.

lVhile the construction and arrangement of the improved table and book rest is that of a generally preferred form, obviously modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim 1. In a device of the character described comprising a 'table, supporting means including a supporting post and transverse rod, said supporting post being provided with means whereby it may be mounted at either side edge of the table thereby to make a right or left hand support, a pin protruding from each side edge of the table, an interchangeable leg to be mounted upon one or the other of the pins depending upon the position of said support, means including a nut for fixing the leg to radial adjusted position upon the pin, and an extensible base carried by the leg intended to contact a bed or the like for support of the otherwise free end of the table.

2. A device of the character described 7 comprising a table having pins protruding from opposite edges, supporting means including a transverse rod, means on the back of said table into which said rod is insertible from either side edge to provide a right or left hand table support, and an extra supporting leg on the pin on the opposite side of the table, said supporting leg comprising telescopic members one of which has a base and a thumb screw, the other of which has a longitudinal slot and a number of notches to adjustably receive the shank of the thumb screw, and a nut to tighten said leg in adjusted positions when inserted upon either of said pins.

8. A device of the character described comprising a table having corners notched to produce recesses and adjacent shoulders, resilient means including a spring disposed ,5 upon the table to hold the leaves of a book i or the like down, and a pair of rods affixed Z at one end to a portion of the table and being hooked at the opposite ends to occupy Said recesses when supporting the ends of the spring, said rods being of a resilient nature to permit bending the hooked ends over said shoulders preparatory to removing said spring.

4:. A device of the character described comprising a table having notched upper corners producing recesses and adjacent shoulders, a ledge hinged to the opposite edge, means disposed between the ledge and side edges of the table permitting adjustment for the ledge to constitute the device a book rest, resilient means extending across the table to hold the leaves of the book} down, and means to support said resilient, means including rods secured at one end to? the aforesaid opposite edge of the table, and being disposed at the side edges of'the table in parallel relationship, said rods being hooked at their opposite ends and being of resilient nature to permit bending the hooked ends over said shoulders to fit them into the recesses.

CHAMPE GERALDINE FlTZHUGI-l. 

